Despite the sector’s recent agreements with the federal government indicate overseas workers must be paid the same rate as Australian employees, the paper says —somehow— companies are saving on labour costs by importing employees.

"[Foreign workers] are disguised as specialists, but in reality they're basically doing the maintenance activities," told the media outlet Karsten Gustera, strategy and developments director of the mining services group Logicamms. The firm organises operational and regulatory work with well-known companies, such as Rio Tinto and Chevron.

Hampered of late by burdensome costs and ailing spot prices for commodities, Australian miners continue to let go long-term employees. The trend is being perceived as a clear sign of the downturn affecting Australia's resource sector.